Political Acid Test. Taking the most important oath, in the most important election.

McCain Fails Political Acid Test; But so do Obama and Clinton. Reason: Lack of Character, Lack of Courage.

The Political Acid Test.

It is not just to "win" campaign funding or votes. It is a simple and defining statement of political character and courage.

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These Pledges of Character and Courage were written by Dr. James E. Hansen
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Declaration of Stewardship for the Earth and all Creation

1. Moratorium on Dirty Coal

I will support a moratorium on coal-fired power plants that do not capture and sequester CO2.

2. Price on Carbon Emissions

I will support a fair, gradually rising, price on carbon emissions, reflecting costs to the environment. Mechanisms to adjust price should be apolitical and economically sound.

3. Energy Efficiency & Conservation Incentives

I will support measures to improve energy efficiency, e.g., rewarding utilities and others based on energy and carbon efficiencies, rather than on the amount of energy sold.

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Electable? Should your candidate be elected? Can your candidate be elected?

Any Congressman, Senator, Governor, or Presidential Candidate running for Office and Election in 2008 should demonstrate the courage, character, and foresight to pledge this "Declaration of Stewardship." Any person running for office in State or local elections should also affirm this oath of stewardship.

Do not elect anyone who will not make this affirmation. Further, do not elect anyone who is not capable of understanding this oath and doing his best to uphold it.

Then hold them to it.

It is important that I include this reference and link to the scientific judgment which forces the recognition of the imminent disaster humanity faces if these simple things do not change the course from "business as usual" to what will become a survivable crisis and eventual recovery of all endangered life, though regrettably, will not save species we have brought to the brink of extinction.

http://www.columbia.edu/%7Ejeh1/mailings/20070802_Stewardship.pdf

Clinton

Hillary Clinton? Would she even have an idea what an oath means, especially with respect to giving your Word of Honor, or giving your word, and honoring it? Susan McDougall's "honor" in one of the strongest demonstrable statements that dishonorable people like Ken Starr and associates just do not understand.

Image: Senate.gov

Machiavelli has no honor, and no character, and is the cynical wrong choice for a survival model for today's leadership. Would Machiavelli crack under torture? Yes, he would help you torture others; and he would torture you in a heartbeat, even if it was just for "fun" and to stay in power, or obtain it.

It is really difficult to tell with the way Hillary has performed in this campaign -- because maybe she needed to do somethings different for Geraldine to stay associated. I think, sometimes, Hillary alludes to the Machiavellian camp where "morality" is but convenience and "power" is the only solid thing. The Oath in the Stewardship of Earth, above is 100% morality based because it is survival based. That might constrain Hillary from keeping the Oath -- because there would be strong forces (Big Carbon and the Financial supporters) fighting against what the Oath would do to short-term profits.

McCain

I do not think McCain "can" take this oath, wouldn't, anyway -- and really, if he did -- would you believe him? It would be Bush Continued, unless they draft another Bush, like Jeb for VP. Then, I do not think McCain would finish the term, but maybe. He might have to tow the Bush line to survive, and that doesn't mean political survival.

But if McCain took this oath publicly, hand on the Bible or a certified copy of the Constitution -- would you believe him? There seems a significant difference between John McCain having "character" and the "character" of G. Gordon Liddy of Watergate, prison, radio talk-show host fame, and an oath -- and honoring the oath.

Image: Senate.gov

One can say that Liddy kept his oath, but unlike McCain, there is no evidence the prosecution tortured Liddy. McCain knows about torture from Viet Nam, really, and he knows he and millions of others do not have G Gordon Liddy's strength and commitment to take and honor an oath. Not that millions don't try, or even resist a little. Does this make him, Liddy, a good Republican? A person with the character of Liddy could play Rambo for real. McCain, we already know, couldn't. So would you believe the oath? What if Rush Limbaugh were to take this oath? Would you believe him?

Again, we all know that G Gordon Liddy keeps his word, and actually, whatever else you think, his honor is intact. But there is a difference between what he staked his honor upon -- and the legalities of what was done.

Nader

Image: Votenader.org

Ralph Nader. Would he keep an Oath of Stewardship or even take it? Yes. He is the only candidate that would keep the oath and have a clear grasp of what he was supporting. And why.

Obama

Obama? If Obama took this oath would you believe he would keep it? Or could keep it? I think Obama would. If he understood it. But how much baggage has he? He is pretty thin on substance. Won't speak about the issues. What is this "Change" he keeps positing?

Image: Senate.gov

You and I know what kinds of changes we would make but it requires something akin to law and legislation and yes, we can do that and understand it -- so what is the change Obama wants you to support?

Ron Paul

Ron Paul has some short-term ideas that he seems to have traded for the need to do this stewardship in this next election cycle. I do not think he understands this dilemma. If he did, unquestionably he would be standing to support it.

Image: House.gov

But could he credibly give his word? Is there the honor to support it? I do not know?

Draft Albert Gore? I think he would be the ideal man to turn the economy around and to begin the effort to save the planet. Would he take and keep the oath? Without doubt. The real question is, could he be drafted? Would he agree to serve? Who would he choose as Vice President? Who could he choose?

Image: Senate.gov

Try to get your local and state politicians to take this oath. Hold them to it.

None of the people running would see the results, except Obama who might see the beginning of the end of the disaster; how we were able to turn a disastrous catastrophe into simply a crisis..